Collapsible mop frame



Oct. 15, 1968 Filed April 7, 1967 H. T. CARTER ETAL.

COLLAPS IBLE MOP FRAME 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR Harry 7: Carfer Dona/dL7. Htks Oct. 15, 1968 CARTER L 3,405,418

COLLAPSIBLE MOP FRAME Filed April '7, 1967 2 Sheets-Shem Z INVENTOR Har/"y 7: (TO/"fer F 7 Dona/0 \T. M'c/rs United States Patent 3,405,418COLLAPSIBLE MOP FRAME Harry T. Carter and Donald J. Hicks, both Fibrac,lnc., 219 W. 4th St., Chanute, Kans. 66720 Filed Apr. 7, 1967 Ser. No.629,173 8 Claims. (Cl. 147) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A collapsible mopframe having two winged sections may be selectively locked to form anintegrated mop support rigidly held in a common plane or unlocked andcollapsed to pivot one wing section relative to the other, therebyfacilitating th removal and/ or mounting of mop fabric thereon. Alocking mechanism is mounted on one wing section and contains a frameengaging structure that is pivotally and selectively movable into andout of engagement with a reinforcing structure that is fixedly welded tothe opposite wing section.

Brief summary of the invention The subject collapsible mop frame orsupport is constructed for use with pocketed mop fabrics of the typehaving opposed pockets on the upper surfaces thereof. The planar lengthof the mop frame is comprised of two wing sections which have rounded orsemicircular tip portions extending from substantially parallel fore andaft support rods. One of the wing sections is weldedly connected to acylindrical hinge-barrel which spans the inboard ends of its respectivesupport rods. The inboard end of the second wing section is rotativelypositioned within the barrel efifectively forming a hinged typeconnection. A rectangular reinforced structure which is usable as ahandle mounting means, has approximately one-half of its lower surfaceweldedly contacting the inboard portion of the combination first wingsection and barrel shaft. The remaining half portion of the reinforcingstructure extends past the hinge barrel in a plane parallel to theplanar length of the combined wing sections and over the hingedlyconnected second wing section. The hingedly connected second wingsection has a pivotally mounted locking mechanism which is operable tocontact the reinforcing structure and fixedly lock the second wingsection in the same plane as the first wing section. This lockingmechanism, in the preferred embodiment, may be either locked or unlockedby applying either hand or foot pressure to the appropriate lever actingupper surface of the mechanism.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a uniquely constructedmop frame that may be quickly and easily collapsed and reassembled tofacilitate the removal and/ or mounting of conventional mop fabric.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mop frame of thecharacter described that includes a unique locking mechanism thatfixedly holds two mop fabric engaging wing sections in a secure andcommon plane yet which may be conveniently released to permit thecollapsibility of same. It is an important feature of the invention thatthe user may operate the locking mechanism with his foot or by handdepending solely on the expedience and preference of the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mop frame of thecharacter described having a reinforced center portion that cooperateswith the other structural features of the invention, including thelocking mechanism, to form a frame having a low center of gravity andwith little or no tendency to roll during the using of same.Additionally, the unique character of the reinforced center eliminatesstructural weaknesses which are quite common in hinged connections aswell as providing a very convenient surface for affixing the handle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rugged, light weight,long lasting, low cost collapsible mop frame that is easy to manufactureand which may be assembled by a relatively simple arc welding process.An equally important feature attributable to the subject frame residesin its smooth finish and elimination of pins, rivets, springs and otherprojections that often result in premature wear and deterioration of themop fabric during normal use thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a collapsible mopframe having a unique pivotally mounted locking mechanism which limitsthe pivotal movement of the mechanism in order to optimally locate aslot defined therein for reception of a rigid rod type structure as thewing sections of the frame are rotated to a common plane for lockingpurposes. This arrangement facilitates the quick and easy locking of thewing sections in their operative mop fabric supporting position.

Other and further objects of the invention, together with the featuresof novelty appurtenant thereto, will appear in the course of thefollowing description.

Detailed description of the drawings In the accompanying drawings, whichform a part of the instant specification and are to be read inconjunction therewith, embodiments of the invention are shown and, inthe various views, like reference numerals are employed to indicate likeparts.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the center portion of the collapsible mopframe showing a portion of each wing section, the hinged connection, thereinforcing structure and the locking mechanism;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 in thedirection of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 1, however th lockingmechanism shown therein is released and the second wing sectioncollapsed relative to the first;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the subject mop frame with the wingsections locked in a common plane and the mop fabric shown in brokenlines;

FIGv 6 is a perspective view of the subject mop frame showing the wingsections collapsed;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment to the lockingmechanism shown in FIGS. 16; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 88 of FIG. 7in the direction of the arrows.

Turning now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral 10represents a conventional mop fabric which has spaced apart opposedpockets 10a and 10b on the upper side thereof. The collapsible mopframe, generally indicated by the numeral 11, is comprised of two wingsections 12 and 13 which are insertible within the respective pockets10a and 10b and capable of forming a rigid support structurefor usingsame. The wings are constructed of rod lengths that are formedsubstantially in a U-shape having curved or semicircular outer tipportions and are interconnected at their inboard end portions. Theseouter tip portions may have other shapes such as being at a right angle,etc. Accordingly a structure is formed that breaks or may be collapsedin half. Therefore, the rod lengths that make up the wing sections maybe thought to have, for illustrative purposes, fore and aft rod lengthsextending from semicircular or curved tip portions and lockable in asubstantially common plane.

The inboard end of wing section 12 has a cylindrical hinge type barrel14 weldedly connected to the inwardly turned end portions of both thefore and aft rod members. Wing section 13 likewise has its inboard endportions bent at substantially right angles to the sides of U-member 13and rotatably engaged within barrel 14. This arrangement effectivelyrotatively interconnects wing sections 12 and 13 and allows relativemovement therebetween. The rigid nature of the rod structure effectivelyprecludes unwanted disengagement of the wing sections.

A rectangularly shaped reinforcing structure, generally indicated by thenumeral 15, has approximately one half of its lower surface weldedlyconnected to a portion of the inboard end of wing section 12 and barrel14. The remaining half portion of the reinforcing structure extends pastthe hinged barrel in a plane parallel to the planar length of thecombined wing sections when in the locked position, such as that shownin FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5.

This reinforcing structure is comprised of the rectangular outer rodframe 15a and a pair of reinforcing struts 15b which weldedlyinterconnect between the longer sides of the rectangular structure andare spaced inwardly from the outer end portions thereof. One of theouter end portions, represented by numeral 15c, cooperates with thelocking mechanism, as will be seen infra. Rod 15d is welded transverselyto the central upper portions of the reinforcing struts 15b and providesa suitable surface for connection with a mop handle clip such as thatdisclosed in our Patent No. 3,363,948, issued January 16, 1968. Thecombined struts and over-all shape of the reinforcing structurecooperate to create a very strong and durable unit. This unitarystructure also has a low center of gravity and is easily constructed andintegrated into the overall frame so that its strength and durabilityqualities are optimally added thereto.

A wing section 13, which is effectively hingedly connected for rotativemovement with wing section 12 about barrel 14, is free to move on thishinge connection in an are up to and away from the overlapping half ofreinforcing structure 15. The extending or overlapping half of thereinforcing structure precludes movement of wing section 13 past itscoplanar fixed or locked position and lends substantial support to thecombined structures.

In order to facilitate the locking of wing section 13 in a common planewith wing section 12, at least one reinforcing strut 16 is weldedlyinterconnected between the fore and aft rods of wing section 13. Alocking mechanism 17 is pivotally affixed to strut 16. The lockingmechanism includes a vertical disk member 17a which when mounted onstrut 16 is at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the strut. Thedisk member 17a is apertured at 17b (FIG. 4) at its lower portionthereof. This aperture is generally circular in shape, however a nipple17c projects interiorly of the generally circular aperture and isengaged within a slot or keyway 16a that is cut on the outer surface ofstrut 16. Accordingly, the pivotal movement of disk member 17a isrestricted by the arcuate dimensions of the slot or keyway 16a and themating nipple 170. The cooperating effect of the nipple and keywaypositions the locking mechanism for efficient operation as will be seeninfra, as well as keeping it from completely turning around to theunderside of the frame.

A slot 17d is cut from the outer edge of disk member 17a above andinwardly of aperture 17b, as seen in FIG- 4. It should be noted thatthis slot angles upwardly from its entrance throat and that the upperedge 17e forms a restriction or deflecting point for similarly shapedmembers attempting to enter therein.

A foot or thumb pedal structure, having steel pads 18a and 18b isweldedly connected in a plane normal to the longitudinal plane ofvertical disk 17a and provides a lever type unit for facilitating thepivotal movement of disk 17a and thusly the entire locking mechanism.These pads are spaced an equal distance from the apertured connectionwith strut 16 so that an effective lever action may be utilized wheneither of the pads has pressure applied to its upper surface.

In operation of the above embodiment, when the second wing sectioncarrying locking mechanism 17 is rotated on its hinged connection into acommon plane with the first wing section, locking mechanism 17 rigidlyinterconnects the two wing sections in the required planar length. Withthe second wing section rotated so that its upper inboard surface isadjacent the lower surface of the reinforcing structure 15, the outerside 15c will contact the lower forward lip portion of slot 17d. Theimmediate reaction of this contact will cause a slight clockwiserotation (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the disk member 17a on strut 16. As a resultof this rotation, rod 15c is in an optimum position to be fixedlyengaged within slot 17d, Further pressure on the upper surface of pad18b will cause the deflecting edge 17a of the entrance throat to deflectthe central portion of outer side 15c downwardly so that edge 17c maycontinue its clockwise pivotal movement on strut 15c. Once edge 17c hasrotatively passed the center point of side 150 the deflected portionwill resiliently return to its normal axial alignment and thrust itselfupwardly within slot 17d. The resultant effect is to fixedly lock outerside 15c within slot 17d while utilizing the inner surface of deflectingedge 17e as a further locking or holding surface. Any forces that areexerted downwardly on the two wing sections and which would ordinarilytend to separate or move same out of their coplanar relationship will betransferred through the reinforcing structure to the upper inner portionof slot 17d. Thusly, conventional working stresses will not result inthe rotative force needed to rotate locking mechanism 17 out of a fixedengagernent with the reinforcing structure 15, thereby insuring a rigidsecure structure.

When it is desired to collapse the frame for removal of a soiled mopfabric and/or to replace it with a clean one, it is merely necessary toapply pressure on the upper surface of pad 18a. This may be convenientlydone either by stepping on the upper surface of pad 18a or by applyingthumb or finger pressure thereto. When a requisite amount of pressurehas been thusly applied, the inner edge of deflecting edge 17!: againdeflects outer side 15c downwardly and further rotative pressure on pad18a allows side 150 to slip out of engagement with slot 17d so that thesecond wing section may be rotated downwardly out of contact with thereinforcing structure 15. When in this position, the two wing sectionsmay easily be inserted within the pockets of conventional mop fabric orthe mop fabric that presently adorns the structure easily removedtherefrom.

FIGS. 7 and 8 disclose another locking machinism usable with the subjectmop frame. As shown particularly in FIG. 7, the reinforcing structure 15is slightly altered to form a loop notch 15c within outer side 150. Thereinforcing structure is fixedly mounted to the first Wing section inthe manner described above. The loop notch formed within side 15cfacilitates the interconnection of a swivel mounted bolt and wing nutcombination, generally indicated by the numeral 19.

As indicated above, the swivel mounted bolt and Wing nut combinationwill be swivelly mounted to the central portion of strut 16 by threadingthe eye portion f bolt 19a onto strut 16. Wing nut 1% may be moved upand down on the threaded outer end of bolt 19a so that when it isdesired to lock the two wing sections in a common plane, bolt 19a may berotated upwardly to extend within loop notch 15c of outer side 15c. Wingnut 1% may then be tightened down thereon to fixedly engage the secondwing section to a reinforcing structure 15. When it is desired tocollapse the mop frame, wing nut 19b is unscrewed and moved upwardly onthreads of bolt 19a so that the nut and bolt combination 19 may beswivelly rotated out of engagement with the loop notch 15c therebyallowing relative movement between the two wing sections.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth,together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherentto the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of theclaims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A collapsible m'op frame comprising opposed first and second wingsections, each wing section being generally U-shaped with the curvedportions forming the outer ends thereof,

a hinge member connecting said wing sections at their inboard portionsand allowing relative movement therebetween,

a reinforcing structure rigidly connected to the inboard portion of saidfirst wing section and extending in a plane parallel to the planarlength of the frame beyond said hinge member adjacent said second wingsection,

a strut integrally mounted on said second wing section,

and

a locking mechanism pivotally mounted on said strut, said lockingmechanism including a means for fixedly engaging said reinforcingstructure, said locking member operable to lock said first and secondWing sections in a common plane when fixedly engaging said reinforcingstructure, said reinforcing structure thereby occupying the centralportion of said frame When said locking member locks said sections insaid common plane, and

a means mounted on said reinforcing structure for facilitating theatachment of a mop handle.

2. The invention as in claim 1 wherein said reinforcing structure itgenerally rectangular in shape and includes integrally formed fore andaft members with two end members interconnecting said fore and aftmembers, at least two struts spaced inwardly of said end members andfixedly connected between the fore and aft members, a cross bar capableof attachment with a mop handle clip fixedly connected between saidstruts at the central portions thereof, said reinforcing structureoperable to strengthen the central portion of the frame around saidhinge member during the conventional use of same.

3. The invention as in claim 1, said locking mechanism having a diskshaped first member pivotally engaging said strut on the second wingsection, a pedal lever member fixedly attached at right angles to saiddisk member, a slot having a restricted entrance throat defined in saiddisk member, said pedal member operable to provide a lever type actionto facilitate the engagement of one end member of said reinforcingstructure within said slot.

4. The invention as in claim 3 wherein said frame includes a means tolimit the pivotal movement of said disk member in an unlocked direction,said limiting means optimally locating said slot for reception of saidend member of said reinforcing structure as the wing sections arerotated on said hinge member to said common plane position.

5. The invention as in claim 4 wherein said limiting means includes anaperture in said disk member having a projection from said disk memberextending radially inwardly of the aperture, an arcuate keyway definedon the side of said strut, said strut extending through said apertureand positioned relative thereto to locate said projection within saidslot.

6. The invention as in claim 3 wherein said hinge member includes acylindrical barrel weldedly connected in a transverse manner to theinboard end portion of said first wing section, the inboard portions ofsaid second wing section projecting within said barrel, thereby allowingrelative movement between said wing sections.

7. The invention as in claim 3 wherein said pedal member has a first andsecond surface, said first surface extending toward the inboard portionof said second wing section and said second surface extending toward theouter tip of said second wing section, each of said surfaces extendingbeyond said strut in their respective directions and transverselythereto, thereby providing a locking and unlocking pressure surface,respectively.

8. The invention as in claim 1 wherein said locking mechanism includes acombination wing nut and eye bolt, said bolt pivotally mounted on saidstrut, on the second wing section, a loop notch formed in saidreinforcing structure, said combination pivotally movable to allow saidwing nut to fixedly secure a portion of said nut within said loop notch.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,178,069 4/1916 Grant 15-2281,187,609 6/1916 Channell 15229 1,256,989 2/1918 Duncan 15228 2,192,8613/1940 Burchell 15147 3,005,220 10/1961 McPherson 15147 3,304,567 2/1967Sturm 15-147 DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner.

